Bipod Mount with Integral Hand Grip

ABSTRACT

A bipod mount with an integral hand-grip for mounting a bipod supporting grip assembly to a “picatinny” mounting rail structure as are often affixed below the forearm stock of a firearm such as a military rifle (e.g., as per standard MIL-STD-1913) includes a hand grip that, in a first configuration, conceals an un-deployed bipod&#39;s frame. The bipod frame includes a pair of extensible/retractable legs, each having a pair of telescoping sections to enable the height of the bipod to be adjusted as desired.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY CLAIM INFORMATION

This application claims priority to and is owned by the applicant/ownerof co-pending provisional application No. 60/905,044, filed Mar. 6,2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference. This application is also owned by the applicant/owner of U.S.Pat. No. 5,711,103 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,974, the entire disclosuresof which are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, thisapplication is owned by the applicant/owner of provisional applicationnumber 60/338,153, filed Nov. 13, 2001, the entire disclosure of whichis also incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to military small arms and support devicessuch as pistol-style grips and bipods, and more particularly, relates toa grip assembly for attaching a pistol-style grip and bipod to amounting rail structure affixed to the forearm stock of a military-stylesmall arm. The grip attaches to the rail structure and enables quickdeployment of an integral bipod.

2. Background of the Invention

Large caliber or select fire automatic military-style small arms can bedifficult to control when firing and muzzle rise can cause the marksmanto shoot above an intended point of aim. Controlling muzzle rise hasbeen accomplished in the prior art by using a pistol-style grip at afixed location under the barrel, near the muzzle, as best epitomized bythe police version of the famed Thompson® sub-machinegun. While apermanently fixed pistol-style grip serves well in some situations; itlimits the usefulness of the weapon and is not well suited for preciseaiming.

When shooting firearms, especially in stressful tactical situations, itis important that the firearm be maintained in a steady, stable positionto insure accuracy of aim. Most shooters are not able to hold amilitary-style small arm consistently in a set position withoutwavering, especially after the onset of fatigue.

Accordingly, peripheral support devices have been used in conjunctionwith military-style small arm since the early creation of firearms as ameans of stabilizing a military-style small arm to reduce vibration,wavering, etc., and to improve accuracy. In the past, shooters have usedeverything from large stationary objects such as rocks and tree branchesto forked sticks, shooting slings, bipods and tripods. Early bipod andtripod supports typically were somewhat crude strands that generallywere bulky, inconvenient and difficult to use and typically were noteasily adjustable. In more recent times, bipod supports have beendeveloped that are compact and relatively lightweight and are mountableto the forearm stock of a firearm, such as a rifle, to make the bipodsportable with the firearm. Most conventional bipod supports include apair of legs that can be pivoted from an up position adjacent thefirearm stock, to a down position engaging a support surface, with thelegs also being extensible to adjust the height of the support.

A problem with conventional grips and bipods has been inability to mounteither a grip or bipod to most firearms without requiring the use ofspecial mounting tools and the machining or modification of the firearmstock to accommodate the grip or bipod. Additionally, most grips orbipods are not designed for quick and easy attachment and release from afirearm's stock. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,678 discloses a bipodassembly that includes legs that are pivotable independently of oneanother for ease of adjustment, but which is not easilyattached/detached from the firearm. Other types of conventional bipodsoffer varying types of mountings that can be fitted to various types ofrifles without requiring modification or machining of the rifle stock.For example, Harris Engineering, Inc. manufactures a series of bipodmounts for use with a variety of different firearms. However, thesebipod mounts do not provide for the quick-release of the bipods from thefirearm.

One of the most popular bipods on the market has been the Parker-Halebipod assembly. This bipod includes a pair of telescoping legs attachedto a mounting frame, and a mounting block for mounting the bipod to thefirearm. The mounting block of the Parker-Hale bipod is releasablyattached to the mounting frame of the bipod to enable quickattachment/release of the legs of the bipod from the firearm. Theproblem with the Parker-Hale bipod is that to mount the bipod to afirearm, the forearm stock of the firearm generally must be modified tomount a track or slide therein, along which the mounting block isreceived to mount the bipod to the firearm; this leaves no room for agrip. In addition, such modifications generally are expensive and oftenmust be done by specialty gunsmiths and can mar the finish of thefirearm.

Another problem often encountered with the bipods of the prior art isthat the attachment to the firearm (e.g., rifle) is defined by a unionof substantially perpendicular lengths of steel. When a shooter assumesthe prone position, for example, the optimum results are obtained byforcing the forward hand distally, usually against the front mountingpoint of a sling, thereby creating a tension in the shooter's body tosupport the rifle and steady the point of aim. If a shooter were toforce his or her forward hand against the perpendicular steel parts ofthe prior art bipods, the result would be a painful grip againstirregularly shaped parts having no ergonomic benefit for the shooter.

This situation is compounded for military or police shooters usingmilitary or SWAT rifles carrying special mounts known as picatinny railsunder the rifle forearm; the picatinny rails are customarily used formounting grenade launchers, lights or other accessories and so therifles often weigh much more than the lighter sporting arms mostshooters are used to carrying.

Combining accessories in the interest of saving clutter and weightappears to be part of the solution to these challenges. The prior artfor supports adapted for use with military-style small arms includesU.S. Pat. No. 7,111,424, to Moody et al, entitled “fore grip with bipod”and this product is now offered as a Grip-Pod™ support. Mr. Moody'sGrip-Pod™ support does integrate a concealed bipod in a fore-grip, butthat bipod has a pair of short bipod legs deployed from the fore-grip'stubular interior lumen, so that the bipod legs have a length less thanor equal to the grip's interior axial length and so the resultingstructure is relatively unstable when deployed. Mr. Moody's Grip-Pod™support, when deployed, has a bipod leg hinge point 27 that positionsthe top of the bipod with a spring-biased plunger at the open distal orbottom end of the fore-grip, and so the deployed bipod is not stronglysupported close to the mount or picatinny rail engaging therail-receiving slot 4.

Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a bipod mount with anintegral hand-grip for selectively permitting a user to deploy a bipodfrom a grip adapted for use in military or SWAT situations, where theshooter may need either to control muzzle rise or, for precision aiming,to have a stable support. Ideally, the bipod mount with an integralhand-grip should not require extensive modification to the firearm suchas machining of the forearm stock of the firearm. Preferably, a bipodmount with an integral hand-grip would also enable quick attachment anddetachment to a military-style small arm or other firearm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a bipod mount with an integral hand-gripfor mounting a bipod supporting grip assembly to a “picatinny” mountingrail structure as are often affixed below the forearm stock of a firearmsuch as a military-style small arm or rifle (e.g., as per standardMIL-STD-1913). In particular, the present invention is directed tomounting a Parker-Hale style of firearm bipod as part of a supportinggrip assembly including a contoured mount inletted to cover and attachto a picatinny rail affixed beneath the forearm stock of the firearm.

The bipod mount with an integral hand-grip assembly is releasablyattachable to a military-style small arm and includes a pair ofextensible/retractable legs, each having a pair of telescoping sectionsto enable the height of the bipod to be adjustable as desired.

The bipod mount with an integral hand-grip assembly of the presentinvention generally comprises an elongate downwardly projecting handleor grip terminating proximally in an integral grip mount adapted toslide over and receive a picatinny rail.

The mount is releaseably affixed to and hangs from a military-stylesmall arm's picatinny rail and supports the first and second bipod legsat a hinge point that is near the upper end of the assembly, close tothe rail, thereby providing a solid connection between the deployedbipod legs and the rail.

The picatinny rail is a standard element of the military firearm andcomprises a mounting rail structure (per standard MIL-STD-1913) havingevenly spaced transverse grooves or troughs of standard size. Thepicatinny rail is normally used for attaching a variety of accessoriessuch as lights, grenade launchers and other devices.

The bipod mount with integral hand-grip assembly of the presentinvention preferably has opposing, separable side walls with one walldefined by a removable clamp member. The opposable walls each have firstand second transversely aligned horizontal fastener openings throughwhich first and second transverse screws, pins or fasteners are receivedand attached to the side walls, with the shank of each transversefastener extending through the clamp member, to attach the mount to therail.

Once the mount has been attached to the picatinny rail of the firearmand placed in a selected fore/aft position, the bipod mount withintegral hand-grip mounting block provides a quick and easy push-buttonmechanism permitting the user to deploy the bipod's legs while providinga support for the forearm stock of the firearm in a stable, secureselected position. This prevents the bipod mount and thus the bipod fromshifting fore and aft or wobbling during use.

Various objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent to one skilled in the art upon a review of the followingspecification, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-20 illustrate features and use of a first embodiment of thebipod mount and integral handgrip assembly, in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIGS. 21-23D illustrate features and use of a second embodiment of thebipod mount and integral handgrip assembly, in accordance with thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-20,bipod mount with integral hand-grip 200 is configured for mounting abipod supporting grip assembly to a “picatinny” mounting rail structure120 as are often affixed below the forearm stock of a firearm such as amilitary-style small arm or rifle such as an M4 rifle 100 (e.g., as perstandard MIL-STD-1913). In particular, the present invention is directedto mounting a Parker-Hale style of firearm bipod as part of a supportinggrip assembly including a contoured mount inletted to cover and attachto picatinny rail 120 affixed beneath the forearm stock of firearm 100.

The bipod mount with an integral hand-grip assembly of the presentinvention 200 is releasably attachable to rifle 100 and includes a pairof extensible/retractable leg assembly, each leg assembly has a tubularleg 226 that slidably receives a spring biased elongate telescoping legextension 228 to enable the height of the bipod to be adjusted asdesired.

The bipod mount with an integral hand-grip assembly of the presentinvention 200 generally comprises a two-part, elongate downwardlyprojecting handle or grip terminating proximally in an integral gripmount 260 adapted to slide over and receive picatinny rail 120.

The mount 260 is releaseably affixed to and hangs from rail 120 andsupports the first and second bipod legs at a hinge point that is nearthe upper end of the assembly, close to the rail 120, thereby providinga solid connection between the deployed bipod legs and the rail 120, asshown in FIGS. 1-4.

As noted above, rail 120 is a standard element of the military firearm100 and comprises a mounting rail structure (per standard MIL-STD-1913)having evenly spaced transverse grooves or troughs of standard size. Thepicatinny rail is normally used for attaching a variety of accessoriessuch as lights, grenade launchers and other devices.

The bipod mount with integral hand-grip assembly 200 preferably hasopposing, separable side walls with one wall defined by a removableclamp member 217. The opposable walls each have first and secondtransversely aligned horizontal fastener openings through which firstand second transverse screws 220, pins or fasteners are received andattached to the side walls, with the shank of each transverse fastener220 extending through the clamp member 221, to attach the mount to rail120.

Once the mount has been slidably captured upon the picatinny rail of thefirearm and clamped in a selected fore/aft position, the bipod mountwith integral hand-grip 200 provides a quick and easy push-buttonmechanism 239 permitting the user to deploy the bipod's legs whileproviding a support for the forearm stock of the firearm in a stable,secure selected position. This prevents the bipod mount and thus thebipod from shifting fore and aft or wobbling during use.

FIGS. 5-20 illustrate the bipod mount with integral hand-grip assembly200 in greater detail. Each component and sub-assembly is illustrated inthe exploded view of FIG. 10 and the other figures. Bipod mount withintegral hand-grip 200 comprises a an adapter or clamping subassemblywith a rigid clamp housing 221 with downwardly depending spaced trunionsthat support a bipod leg retaining lug, axle or hinge pin 203 from whichdepend left leg subassembly 207 and right leg subassembly 208. Clampingsubassembly also includes first and second locking lugs 216 and themounting clamp 217 which is movable relative to the clamp housing 221,due to a camming action of the mounting lever 223

The first and second hex socket head cap screws 220 each pass throughtheir respective clamp tension screw springs 218 and horizontal parallelpin 222 bears against the lever's camming surface. Lever 223 pivotsabout the axis of vertical parallel pin 224, and hex socket set screw243, ball 244 and mounting lever spring 245 all contribute to springtension keeping the clamp locked in the closed position.

Between the bipod legs, a spreading force is provided by main spring 201which bears outwardly on the left and right tubular legs 226.

The left leg subassembly 207 has an outer grip surface defined by leftside body 209 and includes lock subassembly 205. As best seen in FIGS.10 and 14 c, lock subassembly 205 comprises an elongate member calledthe deployment button 239 which, when pressed, actuates the pinnedclosing latch 240 and compresses the deployment button spring 246 whiledisengaging the pivoting closing latch 248 and compressing the pivotingclosing latch spring 249 while pivoting about the axis of the parallelpin 250. The shaft or elongate body of deployment button 239 has atransverse bore sized to receive actuator pin 251 which carries andmoves closing latch 240.

Left leg subassembly 207 includes a tubular leg 226 which receives a legextension 228 terminating distally in left ski foot 234 and retained byleg extension retaining screw 225. The tubular leg 226 carries a latchpivot pin 227 dimensioned to engage transverse notches in the legextension 228 which is biased distally by leg spring 232. A lockinglatch spring guide 229 aligns the top of the locking latch 231 with itslocking latch spring 233.

Similarly, the right leg subassembly 208 has an outer grip surfacedefined by right side body 204, and right leg subassembly 208 alsoincludes a tubular leg 226 which receives a leg extension 228terminating distally in right ski foot 235 and retained by leg extensionretaining screw 225. The tubular leg 226 on the right also carries alatch pivot pin 227 dimensioned to engage transverse notches in the legextension 228 which is biased distally by another leg spring 232. Alocking latch spring guide 229 aligns the top of the locking latch 231with its locking latch spring 233.

The components of bipod mount with integral hand-grip assembly 200 arefabricated from typical, sturdy materials as used in modern gunsmithing,including metals such as steel and aluminum and plastics (e.g., nylon)with fiber reinforcement.

Right side body 204 and left side body 209 are preferably made from atough durable material having a textured, non-reflective surface, andare made in a mirror-image pair to close tolerances so that when closed,there is a small and uniform vertical seam therebetween. Advantageously,when right side body 204 and left side body 209 are in the closedposition (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 1, 6 a and 6 b) they define a unitaryvertical grip having an almost seamless or continuous exteriorcircumference.

In use, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a user first opens the clamp (asshown in FIG. 4) and then slides bipod mount with integral hand-grip 200over a firearm's rail 120, selecting a fore-aft position beforeactuating lever 223 to securely engage bipod mount with integralhand-grip assembly 200 to the rifle 100.

The user can grasp the continuous exterior circumferential surfacedefined by the exterior surfaces of the right side body 204 and leftside body 209. When choosing to deploy the bipod, the user (as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3) depresses actuating button 239, thereby releasinginternal latches 240 and 248, whereupon the biasing spring forciblyspreads right leg subassembly 208 laterally apart from left legsubassembly 207, both pivoting about lug or axle 203 to the openposition shown in FIG. 2.

If the bipod is at the desired height, the user can rest the rifle downon the bipod's distal ends. If, on the other hand, more height isdesired, the user can deploy one or both of the extendable bipod legs,as shown in FIG. 3, using each leg's locking latch 231 to releasably setthe extended length for either bipod leg.

A second embodiment of the bipod mount with integral hand-grip 300 isillustrated in FIGS. 21-23D, in accordance with the present invention.The second embodiment of the bipod mount with integral hand-grip 300 isassembled from a left cover 301, a right cover 302, an adapter 303, aclamp 304, a lever 305, first and second parallel hex head cap screws306 each biased by an adapter spring 307. The left and right legs arehingedly carried on pivot pin 308, and right leg assembly 309 includes aleg cap 317 with leg tube 320 which receives a lower leg 319 terminatingdistally in a right side metal foot 310.

Left leg assembly 318 includes a leg cap 317 with leg tube 320 whichreceives a lower leg 319 terminating distally in a left side metal foot327. The leg extension is controlled by left and right latches orcatches 322, and each leg includes a catch spring 323, a catch peg 324,a catch bracket 325, and an extension leg spring 326.

The clamping assembly includes a long pin 311, a parallel pin 312, afirst lock or actuator 313, a second lock 314, and a transverse pin 315to engage biasing lock spring 316. Clamping assembly also includes firstand second spaced square pins 321, spline socket button head cap screw328, and a parallel pin 329. The bipod's legs are biased outwardly bymain spring 330. When actuating lock 313 is depressed and actuating lock313 and second lock 314 each release engagement with notches defined inthe left and right leg covers, the bipod's lags are forced apart.

FIGS. 21 and 22A-22J show bipod mount with integral hand-grip 300 withthe bipod legs in the concealed or “carry” position and FIGS. 23A-23Dshow bipod mount with integral hand-grip 300 with the legs in the openedor supporting position.

The components of bipod mount with integral hand-grip assembly 200 arefabricated from typical, sturdy materials as used in modern gunsmithing,including metals such as steel and aluminum and plastics (e.g., nylon)with fiber reinforcement.

Right side cover or body 302 and left side cover or body 301 are alsopreferably made from a tough durable material having a textured,non-reflective surface, and are made in a mirror-image pair to closetolerances so that when closed, there is a small and uniform verticalseam therebetween. Advantageously, when right side cover 302 and leftcover 301 are in the closed position (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 22A-J theydefine a unitary vertical grip having an almost seamless or continuousexterior circumference.

In use, user first opens the clamp and then slides bipod mount withintegral hand-grip assembly 300 over a firearm's rail 120, selecting afore-aft position before actuating lever 305 to securely engage bipodmount with integral hand-grip 300 to the rifle 100.

The user can grasp the continuous exterior circumferential surfacedefined by the exterior surfaces of the right side body 302 and leftside body 301. When choosing to deploy the bipod, the user depressesactuator 313, thereby releasing second lock 314, whereupon the biasingspring 330 forcibly spreads right leg subassembly 309 laterally apartfrom left leg subassembly 318, both pivoting about lug or axle 308 tothe open position shown in FIGS. 23A-D.

If the bipod is at the desired height, the user can rest the rifle downon the bipod's distal ends. If, on the other hand, more height isdesired, the user can deploy one or both of the extendable bipod legs,using each leg's locking latch 322 to releasably set the extended lengthfor either bipod leg.

It will be understood that while the foregoing relates to a preferredembodiment of the present invention, various modifications, additionsand changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

1. A bipod mount and integral handgrip, comprising: (a) a clamp bodycarrying first and second bipod leg assemblies, said first and secondbipod leg assemblies having a proximal end hingedly attached to saidclamp body to proved a closed position, wherein said leg assemblies aretogether and a spread position, wherein said leg assemblies provide abipod support; (b) said first and second bipod leg assemblies eachhaving a a textured, non-reflective outer surface; (c) said first andsecond bipod leg assemblies being configured in a mirror-image pair toclose tolerances such that when closed, there is a small and uniformvertical seam therebetween; and (d) wherein said first bipod legassembly's exterior and said second bipod leg assembly's exterior, whensaid bipod is in a closed position they define a unitary vertical griphaving a substantially seamless or continuous exterior circumference. 2.The bipod mount and integral handgrip of claim 1, wherein each legassembly comprises a distal end opposing said proximal end, wherein saiddistal end carries an end effecter
 3. The bipod mount and integralhandgrip of claim 2, wherein each leg assembly comprises a spring biasedextendable bipod leg member terminating distally in a ski foot endeffecter.
 4. The bipod mount and integral handgrip of claim 2, wherein(a) said first and second leg assemblies are configured with a latch forlatching said first and second leg assemblies in the closed position,and (b) between the bipod leg assemblies, a spreading force is providedby a spring which bears outwardly on the first and second leg assembliesand are biased to spread apart when said latch is released.
 5. The bipodmount and integral handgrip of claim 4, wherein (a) said first legassembly has an outer grip surface defined by a left side body andincludes lock subassembly; (b) wherein said lock subassembly comprisesan elongate deployment member which, when pressed, actuates a pinnedclosing latch and compresses a deployment button spring whiledisengaging a pivoting closing latch and compressing a pivoting closinglatch spring.
 6. A method for deploying a bipod mount and integralhandgrip: (a) providing a clamp body carrying first and second bipod legassemblies, said first and second bipod leg assemblies having a proximalend hingedly attached to said clamp body to proved a closed position,wherein said leg assemblies are together and a spread position, whereinsaid leg assemblies provide a bipod support; said first and second bipodleg assemblies each having an outer surface and being configured in amirror-image pair to close tolerances such that when closed, there is asmall and uniform vertical seam therebetween; and wherein said firstbipod leg assembly's exterior and said second bipod leg assembly'sexterior, when in a closed position, define a unitary vertical griphaving a substantially seamless or continuous exterior circumference;(b) opening the clamp and then sliding said bipod mount with integralhand-grip assembly over a firearm's rail; (c) selecting a fore-aftposition and then clamping said bipod mount to securely engage bipodmount with integral hand-grip to said firearm; (d) grasping thecontinuous exterior circumferential surface defined by the exteriorsurfaces of the first bipod leg assembly's exterior and said secondbipod leg assembly's exterior.
 7. The method of claim 6, furthercomprising: (e) deploying the bipod by releasing the latch, whereuponthe first bipod leg assembly is spread laterally apart from said secondbipod leg assembly 318; and (f) resting the firearm on the bipod legassemblies' distal ends.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:(g) extending at least one of the extendable bipod legs.